Aussie striker Richard Garcia joins Sydney FC

Sydney, Aug 16 (IANS) Australian football club Sydney FC announced Friday that it had signed former English Premier League attacker and Socceroo Richard Garcia for the 2013-14 A-League season.

Garcia joins Sydney FC from Melbourne Heart where he played 24 games last season and scored six goals, reports Xinhua.

The 31-year-old football player joins the Sydney FC attacking line that includes Alessandro Del Piero, Corey Gameiro, Joel Chianese, Yairo Yau, Mitch Mallia and Blake Powell.

“I’m thrilled to be joining Sydney FC,” Garcia said in a statement.

“To be playing alongside players like Alessandro Del Piero, Brett Emerton and Nick Carle will be a fantastic experience for me and something I’m very much looking forward to.”

Sydney coach Frank Farina said Garcia was a great addition to his squad for the 2013-14 season.

“He is a proven performer at the highest level of the game. He has played English Premier League and been to a World Cup,” Farina said.

“He did well last year in the A-League and he fits in with what we are trying to implement and achieve at Sydney FC this season.”

Garcia was a member of the Australian squad that took part in the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa and has played 18 internationals for the national football team, known as the Socceroos, scoring two goals.